The day's other headlines begin in Russia, where President Vladimir Putin held his annual

year-end press conference. During the marathon session, more than four hours this year, Putin

reaffirmed his commitment to continuing the war in Ukraine and hedged on the question of a potential

arms race with the U.S. Stephanie Sye reports.

An annual glimpse into the mind of Russia's strongman, complete with Cold War-era missile

threats and denials that any of his policies have failed, including in Syria.

That's despite the recent ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad,

who Putin backed during the 14-year civil war and who was forced to flee to Russia.

Putin said he has yet to meet with Assad.

With Moscow's influence in the region sharply curtailed,

and the future of its two military bases in Syria unknown,

Putin dismissed any notion of defeat to an NBC reporter.

You and those who pay your salaries would like to present everything that is happening in Syria

is some kind of failure, a defeat for Russia. I assure you it is not true. We maintain relations

with all the groups that control the situation there, with all the

countries in the region.

The overwhelming majority of them tells us that they would be interested in keeping our

military bases in Syria.

I don't know.

We'll have to think about it.

The Russian president also vowed to continue the war in Ukraine, agreeing to come to the

negotiating table only if Ukraine submits to concessions.

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